Guard-rail.



F. B. BRADLEY.

GUARD RAIL.

APPLICATION FILED 11110.24, 1910.

Patented Mar.21,1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

V l )lill l Illlllllllllll P. B'. BRADLEY.

GUARD RAIL. APPLIUATION FILED DBO. 24, 1910.

Patented Mar.21,1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

n B.l BRADLEY. GUARD RAIL.

APPLICATION FILED DEO. 24,'1910. 987,61 l

Ptented Mar. 21, 1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

r'mmx B. Baantnmor carcasa,- ILLxNoIs.

GUARD-ItanfZ'o allwlwm it may concern Be 1t known that I,'FRANK. B. BRADLEY, a

" citizen-of the. United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain' new' and useful Improvements in' Guard-Rails, 0f which the following is a specification.

Tlie object of/ my invention is to provide an improved guard rail to be used in 'accoi-dance with the general practice 'in front of facing point. switches, opposite vfrog points, and aroundcurves for the purpose. of guiding or defiecting wheel flanges to Aavoid (lerailment. The general, in fact al-V most universal, practice at present is to use a piece of track rail 0f the same patternl as the running or traic rails, and I'- am in#r formed that there are less than' one hundred guard rails in use-in the United ,States that are not so constructed.

l The particular features of novelty in my improved structure and the characteristic features of my' invention will appear from the. following description and claims, taken. .in connection with-the accompanymgdrawings in which*V Figure -1 is a plan' view ofmy improved guard' rail shown in connect-lon with part ofca traic or`running rail. Fig. 2 is an ele' v lation of tli'estructur'e shown in Fig. 1 looking from the inside of the track outwardly.

Fig. 3 is an elevation view of the structure shown in Fig. 1 looking from the outside of the track inwardly. Fig- 4 is a cross'section on the line 4 of Fig.` 1. Fig. 5 is a cross section on the line 5 of Fig. 1 showing a supplemental brace which may be used if desired, but which is not necessary to the application of the broad features of my invention. Fig. 6 is a cross section on the line 6 of Fig. 1. Fig.` 7 is a cross section on the line 7 of Fig. 1. Fig.8 is a fragmentary sectional View on the line 8 ofFi'g. 2. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the entire guard rail separate from the track rail. Fig. 10, is a detail perspective View of a separate brace which may be used with my improved thus affording space fora continuous seriesI Specicationof Letters Patcnt.

vof spike holes to accommodate ties variously spaced.A M

In modern track constructionthe useof tie plates or surface plates'between `the ties and bases of the rails is becoming 'common by reason of the superiorfsecurity yafforded l by such construction. It is quite customary,

however, to omit the tie platesv beneath frogs and beneath the guard and:` running rails opposite the frogs and itr is not un-j "common to construct track with tiefv plates under the spring rail frogs, but with no metal bearing on the tie under the Aguard and runningrail opposite the frog. The reason of this omission probably rlies in the fact that the built-up forms of guard and running rail structures now in use, together with the separate chuck filling pieces,l metal foot guards, guard rail clamps, etc.,` render the use of surface platestooexpensive. `It is .my contention, however, that the surface plate under the properly braced, 1s the bestntrack practice and one of the objects of myinvention iste provide a structure embodying this feature, the manufacture-of whichshall come-within the limits of cost imposed upon such structures, and which shall be superior to built-up structures. l

. I have illustrated a form of guard rail adapted to lie .along the track rail 'opposite a frog, but it will be understood that this particular form is selected for the` purposes of explanation and that my invention is ap'- vtions in which they are customarily used.

is shown as consisting of Aan approximately lso formed may be merged in acontinuous I inner supporting wall as shown vin Figs. 11,

z l2 and 13, or as shown in Fig. 1 may be disequal to the spacing between the ties. The

uardV and running rail,

plicable to guard rails in the various yconnec-I and the guard rail or wall,` andthe brackets 'continuous and spaced apart a distance ratentedfrrar. 21, 191i. f Application led December 24, 1910.v Seral'ln. 599,149 i `on each tie and surface plates on each tie Referringvto Fig. 9, the guard rail proper vertical Wall lrising from and integral with V passing wheels.

site the brackets 3, which extensions project from the wall l a distance considerably greater than the width of the base or fiange 30 of therunning rail. Each ofthe extensions 6 is so formed that a spike may be driven through it in such position as toj'secure the running rail in place, provisionbeing niade to locate this spike in proper position to accommodate running rails having base Hanges of diiferent width. Provision is also made in each of the extensions 6 for the reception of a second spike in such relation to the extension as to restrain the guard rail structure against the inward thrust of In the particular form of my .invention illustrated I eiiect this purpose by means of openings having an angular form-T-shaped as shown. The Ypart' of the opening 7 corresponding to the stem of the .T lies transversely of the rail and is so positioned and of such size that the edge of running rails of all widths ordinarily usedl will lie over thisv part of the opening. This renders it possible, as illustrated in Fig. 6, to secure the running rail to the tie by means of a spike driven through the part 7 of the opening in the extension 6. The part 8 of the T-shaped opening lies parallel to the rail and a spike driven through this part of the opening will by its engagement with the outerwall thereof assist in-restraining thel guard rail structure aga-inst inward movement due to the thrust of passing wheels. It will be understood of course that the guard rail structure is further secured in place by spikes passing through the holes 5 in the brackets 3. The particular form of the spike opening'in the extensions 6 of the base plate 2 may of course be varied', it being essential only that provision be made to receive one spike at varying points in order to secure running rails of different widths and that provision be made for another spike so located as to assist in restraining the guard rail structure against inward movement;

From the foregoing it will appear that I have embodied in a single integral structure a guard rail provided witli-ineans foi-.spiking it to the ties upon its inner side and with an integral surface or base plate extending outwardly beneath the running rail and so above the inner base iange of the running' rail. While I have shown in Fig. 7 a tight.

engagement between the base 30 of the vrunning rail and the lug 9, it will be understood that such tight engagementniay not always he secured or be necessary yin practice, or that, if desired, the lug 9 may be used in connection with wedges or other adjustable devices through which it may engage the 'base 30 of the ruiming rail.

Owing to wear it frequently becomes necessary to adjust the position of a guard rail after it has been in use in order to restore the proper width of flange-way between the guard rail and the ruiming rail. This object may be easily and expeditiously accomplished with my improved guard i rail as above described. Referring to Fig. 6, and assuming that the wall 1 constituting the guard rail has become worn to suchan extent as to Widen the flange-way beyond the limitations of good practice, it is necessary only to withdraw the spikes, lug the spike holes with wooden plugs, rep ace the parts with the guard rail closer to the running rail and again spike the structure to the ties.

The dimensions of the part 7 ofthe spike holes in the extensions 6 of the base plate 2 are such as to permit this adjustment Within the necessary limits. Vhile not necessary to the application of the broad features of my invention, the separate braces l0, such as illustrated in Fig. 10 of the drawing, may be used upon the-outer side of the running rail. y`When such separate braces l() are used the extensions 6 of the base plate mayA be provided with upwardlyextending shoulders .l1 to take the thrust of the outer end of thebraces 10 as clearlyillustrated in Fig. 5. These braces may be formed with side notches 12 to receive spikes passing therethrough and through the opening in the ba-se plate 2. When separate braces l0 are used they may be of the form illustra-ted or of any form or construction adapted to meet the varying adj ustments of the running and guard rails.

Referring to Fig. 9, itwill be seen that the base plate 2 vextends throughout the length of the guard rail including the end portions thereof which iare'from the running rail, and that when the structure is assembled with a running rail as shown in Fig. l, the end parts of the hase plate 2 underlie the running rail. In pract-ice theends of the. guard rail where they Hare or diverge from the running rail are continued longitudinally of the track a distance considerably beyond the point where the flanges of passing wheels ever contact? therewith. By providing a base plate integral with the guard rail, as in my structure, and extending to the ends of the guard rail and underlying the ruiming rail, the downward thrust of passing wheels is always transmitted directly to the guard rail structure before the flanges contact with the side of the .guard rail. By this means the weight of a passing. car or locomotive bears directly down upon the guard rail and assists in holding it lin place before any side thrust is imposed thereon by the ianges of the wheels. s In order to form a foot guard, I form the rail is parallel to the running rail. At about the point designated upon'Fig. 1 of the drawing, the guard rail diverges from the running rail andat these points the inner wall of the guard rail begins to assume an inclined form sloping away from the running rail. This form may be conceived as resulting from the removal of the upper angle of the guard rail and increasing the amountremoved as the end of the guard rail is approached. As clearly shown in Fig. 4, at the pointupon which that section is taken, namely-the line 4 of Fig. 1, the inner side of the guard rail slopesnpwardly and outwardly from a point adjacent the base of the running rail. The point at which this slope begins rises progressively toward the central part of the running rail, as indicated by the shaded angle designated 16 upon Fig. 9 of the. drawing. This inclined surface 17 which forms the foot guard, has an approximately triangular forni with its base along the shaded line 18 at the end of the guard rail, as indicated in Fig. 1, and its sides consisting of the shaded angle 16 and the upper edge 19 of the guard rail. By this means a,"

foot guard integral with the guardrail is formed which serves the purpose of preventing the wedging of the foot of a passer-by between the guard and the track' rail and likewise prevents chains or other parts trailing from a car from becoming wedged at this point.

As shown in Fig. 7, I have shown the base plate 2 at the spaces between the ties as extending under the running rail to a point approximatelyA beneath the outer edge of the head thereof, and, as shown in the other views, I have provided t-he extensions 6 for the purposel of receiving spikes upon the outer side of the running rail. Likewise I have shown the inner brackets 3 as spaced apart to lie over the ties. By this means an veconomy of metal is effected, but it will be obvious that the principle of my invention is not limited to these precise forms, but may also be carried out as illustrated in Figs. 11, 12 and 13 which show a modified but equivalent structure. Between the ties I have reinfor-ced the hase plate 2vby means of transverse ribs 20 designed to reinforce the base plate 2 in supporting the downward thrust on the running rail between the ties.

My improved structure as above described may be formed of manganese steel, cast steel or malleableirom or might be pressed from a piece of plate steel, the application of v my invention being independent of the particular lmaterial employed.

In Figs. 11, 12 and a sli htly modified form of my improved guard 13 1 have 'illustrated rail. vIn this form the base plate 40 projectsl throughout its 'length beyondthe f' continuous. Rows of spike holes 43 and 44 are provided at the outer and inner edges of the guard rail structure, the spike holes over the ties being used for the purpose of fastening the structure in place. This modi- 'traffic' rail and the inner support 42 is also cation does not differ in principle. from the i form illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9, the. parts of the base plate 4() and of the inner support- Y ing wall 42 over the ties constituting the extensionsy 6. and brackets or braces v3 of the form shown in those views. The modification shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 13 has some advantage in its adaptability to ties 'differ-v ently spaced, but requires more metal in its mal'iu'facture.

Vhile I have illustrated and described l one specific embodiment of my invention forY thereof, it will'beunderstood that wide variations may be made in the specific mecha- -the purpose ofr explaining the principle nism without departing from the spirit of. f.

my invention. K

I claim v 1. A guard rail structure comprising a gua-rd rail,` a base plate integral therewith and adapted. to underlie.the base of the traffic rail over and between -the"ties, and brackets integral with said guard railand adapted to be secured'to the ties on the inner side thereof.

2. A traihc rail, a guard wall, a base plate integral withsaid guard wall, and of sufiicient width to extend outwardly beyond' the base' of the trafficv rail, ties, and means adjustable to different positions for `securing the outer edge of the base ofthe traffic rail to the ties.

3. A traffic rail,l a guard wall, a baseiplate integral with said, guard wall, and of sufiicient width to extend outwardly beyond the f base of the traffic rail, ties, and means adinstable to differentpositions for securing the outer'edge of the base of the traffic rail` i to the ties, and means for securing thelinner.1

edge of the base of the traffic rail. 4 i

4. A traffic rail, a guard wall, a base` plateintegral with said guard wall and proj ecting;f outwardly beyond the base of the traffic rail'.

ties, means for securing the outer edgeic'iffffv the base of the traffic rail to theties,ythe l base plate being formed with an openingin.v l

which said means 'are adjustable.

5. A traffic rail, a guard wall, a base plate A integral with said guard wallA and projecting .outwardly beyond the base of4 the traffic l l rail, ties, means for securing the outer edge of the base of the traflicV rail to the'ties, the

base plate. being 'formed with an opening inwhich said means are' adjustable, and means for securing the inner edgeA Iofthe base of the' traiiic rail.

' 6. A guard rail structure comprising a guard wall, a base plate integral therewith and-adapted to underlie the base of a tra-thc rail overand between the ties, an inner support integral 4with the guard wall-and extending downwardly and inwardly therefrom and adapted to be secured to the ties.

7. A guard rail structure comprising aguard wall, a base plate integral therewith, 'a traic rail, ties, said base late extending beneath the base of the tra c rail and .terminating thereunder' between the ties and having projections over the ties extending beyond the base of the trac rail.

8'. A .guard rail formed integrally with a base plate adapted to underlie a traiiic rail, andtransverse strengthening ribs extending outwardly from said wall under said base plate. I

9. In combination, a traiiic rail, a guard rail, a vbase plateV inteofral with said guard rail and underlying and extending outwardly beyond said traffic rail, said base'plate having a spike hole therethrough of sufficient size transversely of the rail to receive a .spike in different positions to secure the outer edge of the base of. said traffic rail whereby said traffic rail may be secured by a spike passing through said base plate into the tie.

10. In combination, a trafhc rail, a guard rail, a. base plate integral with said guard rail and underlying and `extending outwardly beneath the web of said tratlic rail over and between the ties, said base plate having a spike hole therethrough adjacent the outer'edge of the base of sai traii'ic rail whereby said traiiic rail may be secured by a spike passing through said base plate into the tie, and brackets integral with said guard rail and extending inwardly therefrom, said brackets being'provided with spike holes.`

11. A guard rail, a base plate integral with said guard rail and. of sutlicientwidth :to' underlie and extend outwardly beyond tthe base of a tralic rail, said base plate havingl a spike hole therethroi'zgh, said spike hole being of sufiicient size to receive a spike in different positions whereby rails ot' ditferent flange width may be secured to the tie by a spike passing through said spike hole.

12. A guard rail, a base plate integral with said guard rail and of sutlicient width to underlie and extend outwardly beyond the'base of a trailic rail, said base plate having a spike hole therethrough ot sufficient Size to receive a spike at varying distances from said guard rail on the outer side of a traffic rail.

13. A guard rail, a ybase plate integral with said guard rail and of suiiicient width to underlie and extend outwardly beyond the base of a trarlic rail, said base plate havdetermined distance-froin said guardrail on.

the outer side of thev traiiic rail.

1st. A guard rail, a base plate integral with said guard rail and of sufficient width to underlie and extend outwardly beyond the base of a traiiic rail, said base plate having a spike opening therethrough of such size as to receive the trailic rail spike in proper position for railsv having diii'erent flange width, and also having a spike'opening the outer wall of which-is designed to contact with a spike to restrain the guard against inward movement.

15. A guard rail, a base-plateintegral with said guard rail and of sufiicient width to underlie and extend outwardly beyond the base of a traiic rail, said base plate having an opening to receive a spike in aselected position to secure the traiiic rail, and being formed to receive a second spike in a position to secure the guard rail against transverse movement.

16. A guard rail, a base plate integral with said guard rail and of sutlicient width to underlie and vextend outwardly beyond the base of a traffic rail, said base plate having a spike hole of angular form, one part of said spike hole extending transversely/"of said rail and the other parallel thereto.

17. A guard rail, a basel-@plate integral with said guard rail, and "lugs projecting outwardly from said guard-rail above said base plate and adapted to overlie the base of a trahie rail, said base plate having spike holes therein of suiiicient size to receive at different points spikes engaging the outer edge of the base of a tratlic rail. l

18. A traiiic rail, a guard rail structure comprising a guard wall, a'base plate integral therewith and underlying and projecting outwardly beyond said traffic rail, shoulders on the outer part of said base plate, said shoulders being spaced from said traiiic rail and adapted to support rail braces.

19. In combination, a traiiic rail, a guard rail, a base plate integral with said guard rail and projecting outward beyond said tratlic rail, shoulders upon the outer part of said base plate, braces engaging said shoulders and said traiiic rail and spikes passing through openings insaid braces and base plate.

20. In combination, a. tratiic rail, a guard rail, a base plate integral with said guard rail and projecting` outward beyond said traffic rail, lugs projecting from said guard rail over the base of said traiiicrail, shoulders upon the outer part of said base plate,

braces engaging said shoulders and said.

2l. An integral guard rail structure c0111-,

prising a guard Wall and base plate adapted to underlie a traic rail, said guard wall be# ing formed to diverge inwardly at its ends from a traiic Yrail and also to diverge upwardly from the traflic rail throughout the extent of the inwardly diverging arts. y

22. A traic rail, a guard rai structure comprising a guard Wall parallel throughout the length of its base t0 the inner flange of the trac rail7 and the top of said guard Wall diverging teward its ends fro'mf4 said traic rail. y K

In testimony-whereof, have subscribed my name.

' Witnesses:

A ANNA L. WALTON,

HENRY A. PARKS. 

